Albuquerque Archives - City Desk ABQ

Several dozen homeless folks currently camp under interstate I-40 and first street. Many express frustration of authorities coming by everyday and kicking them out but decide to return an hour later. This has been their daily routine for months now. Pictured is a fentanyl pill about to be consumed. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales / City Desk Abq

Mayor’s budget pitch doubles treatment spending but lowers targets, but city says there’s a reason

By Jesse Jones, City Desk in The Paper. –– While reviewing Mayor Tim Keller’s $1.47 billion budget proposal, a counterintuitive number jumped out in the city’s Health, Housing and Homelessness Department budget: despite contracts for substance use treatment more than doubling to $5.5 million,the city expects to serve fewer people, lowering its target from 650 […]

Albuquerque, Community Content

Shelter continues its work despite a devastating fire

by Pat Davis April 7, 2026

By Mia Casas, KUNM News — On April 1, around 2:30 a.m., Pastor Joanne Landry and her family woke to crackling fire and shouting voices. The family escaped with their lives, but the church sanctuary of the Interfaith Bible Center next to their home is in shambles. This story was originally published by KUNM News, a community-powered […]

Fed cuts prompt Keller to pitch budget with $35 million hole and 272 job cuts

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Albuquerque is tightening its belt for the first time in years, and Burqueños may soon feel the shift. Mayor Tim Keller sent his $1.47 billion budget proposal to the City Council on Wednesday. The budget is $35 million less than last year. After a record budget year approved last […]

Pictured is the proposed site for a new Maverick gas station on the corner of Indian School and Carlisle. This was the former site of a Whole Foods Supermarket.

Albuquerque, Local Government

Neighborhoods prevail in first round against Maverick plans for gas station on former Whole Foods site

by Pat Davis April 2, 2026

A city zoning official has denied petitions that would allow a new gas station and convenience store to be built at Carlisle Boulevard and Indian School Road. Zoning Hearing Examiner Robert Lucero announced his decision Thursday morning. Maverik, which already owns the property, had sought a conditional use permit to allow the store to be […]

From curbside to containers: Why Albuquerque is rethinking how it recycles glass

It looked like the glass would finally be picked up with the rest of our trash and recycling we all hoped for, but the reality was that it was not to be, at least not yet. Editor’s note: For years, the city has fielded requests to add glass to “blue bin” curbside recycling, so when […]

APD investigating hate crime in Old Town after Muslim mom with kids spit on by man asking, “Are you Christian?”

An Albuquerque mother taking photos of her children in Old Town says she was spit on and harassed all because she was wearing a hijab, and she caught it on video. Editor’s note: This story was updated Wed. afternoon after APD confirmed the name of the suspect they identified in this case. That update is […]

Albuquerque, Environment, Conservation & Climate, Local Government

City closes part of Bosque for fire prevention, Jetty Jack removal

by The Paper staff March 30, 2026

With little snowpack and early season heat waves hitting the city in February, 2026 is shaping up to be an historically dangerous year for wildfire conditions so the City of Albuquerque is getting a head start on wildfire prevention along the Bosque. City officials will close an 18-acre area north of Campbell Rd. and west […]

‘No Kings’ organizers plan for 40K & Stacey Abrams in rally, march through ABQ Sat.

By Kevin Hendricks — Organizers of Albuquerque’s “NO KINGS” rally are planning for more than 37,000 people to participate in a planned 3-mile march and rally on Saturday – prompting police to issue warnings of impromptu road closures along some of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. The “NO KINGS” movement began in 2025 and has since […]

Keller nominates Cecily Barker to permanently lead APD, pending City Council confirmation

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — After 22 years of climbing the ranks from patrol officer to the Albuquerque Police Department’s top-ranking officer, Cecily Barker stands one vote away from making history as Albuquerque’s first female police chief. Mayor Tim Keller announced Barker as his official nominee for chief of police on Tuesday, choosing the […]

Gov, Board give final OK to $114M State Fair redevelopment with a stadium option

Burqueños and the International District moved a step closer to a major Fairgrounds transformation Monday after the state board approved the first phase of a $200 million redevelopment plan that includes a new multipurpose stadium and hundreds of housing units. The New Mexico State Fairgrounds District Board, chaired by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, approved the […]